Minnesota judge asked to detain alleged ISIS recruit

MINNEAPOLIS -- Federal prosecutors are asking a Minnesota judge to reconsider the release of a man accused of trying to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Abdullahi Yusuf, 18, was arrested last week, six months after FBI agents stopped him at the Minneapolis airport as he prepared to leave the United States. He's charged with one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

A magistrate judge released Yusuf to his parents after his attorney pointed out he hadn't fled during the six months he was being investigated.

But federal prosecutors argue Yusuf deceived his parents when he first prepared to travel and is a good bet to do it again.

A hearing is scheduled Wednesday afternoon before the chief federal judge for Minnesota, Michael Davis.

Last week, CBS station WCCO reported that Yusuf's former attorney said his client was naive and that six months ago ISIS did not have the brutal reputation it does now.

"Many young Muslims were attracted to the renewal of the Muslim ideal, the city on the hill," Peter Erlinder said.

In the six months since he was kept from leaving, Yusuf has been working at Best Buy and attending classes at Inver Hills Community College, WCCO reported.